Water Cooled Cable

The electric arc furnace secondary electrical circuit consists of several components including the delta closure secondary circuit, water cooled cables, electrode arms, and the electrodes.

The water-cooled cables are the only flexible part of the secondary electrical system. These allow for raising, lowering and swinging of the electrodes. Furnaces usually operate with between two and four cables per phase.

The water-cooled cable generally consists of multiple copper wire strands which are soldered or crimped to copper terminals at either end of the cable.

The copper cable is covered with a rubber hose which is secured at the terminals with nonmagnetic stainless-steel bands.

1. Current density

Suggested max value of the current density in a water-cooled cable is 4,5 A/mm2 for EAF and 5,5 A/mm2 for LF.

2. Water cooling flow rate

Water cooling flow rate is calculated according to current intensity, inlet and outlet temperatures.

3. Bending radius

The minimum bending radius of the cable is around normally 5-6 times the inner diameter of the water hose

4. Cable length

The cable length is determined to allow raising, lowering and swinging of electrodes.